A marriage of Mr. K’s passions, ‘E Day at the K’ returns July 19
July 8, 2016 | Bobby Burch
To say one of Kansas City’s greatest entrepreneurs — Ewing Marion Kauffman — loved baseball would be an understatement.
The founder of Marion Laboratories Inc., Kauffman purchased the Royals in 1968 to bring America’s pastime to his beloved hometown, Kansas City. Along with boosting civic pride, the Royals became a model franchise, employing “moneyball” statistical techniques that helped the team become perennial playoff contenders, win two American League pennants and the World Series in 1985.
But perhaps even more important to Kauffman than baseball was imparting to Americans the tools to economically empower themselves through entrepreneurship. That’s why the foundation in his namesake — the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation — is continuing a tradition that marries two of his passions: entrepreneurship and baseball.
The foundation is hosting its fifth-annual “E Day at the K” tailgate 4 to 6 p.m., July 19, before the Royals take on the Cleveland Indians. The entrepreneurial event will feature food, live music, a painting demonstration and speaker panel with musicians Victor & Penny, artist Phil Shafer and photographer Chris Dahlquist.
“Mr. Kauffman wanted Kansas City to be a premier U.S. city. When he brought the Royals to KC in the 1960s, it was to ensure Kansas City would be on the map as a major city and a Major League city,” said Nathan Kurtz, the Kauffman Foundation’s senior program officer in entrepreneurship. “Mr. Kauffman saw the stadium and the Royals as a place for the city to convene, to connect, to interact and grow as a city. E-Day at the K is another chance for our community to celebrate, learn and cheer on our defending World Series champs.”
Kurtz said that the event provides a space for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to learn from others and each other. With artist entrepreneurs performing and presenting, Kurtz said the event will bring together Kansas City’s diverse entrepreneurial community.
To learn more or to register for the event, go to: www.kauffman.org/eday
Featured Business
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
The brands are promotin’ some ball: KC businesses look to capitalize on Royals’ playoff return
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. The Kansas City Royals are back in the Major League Baseball postseason for…
LaunchKC studio cultivates regenerative look at social challenges; this founder grew his business too
Joining the third cohort of LaunchKC’s Social Venture Studio forced Jacob Canyon to get out of the day-to-day operations of Good Oak — even if for just one day a week — and instead focus on building the business, he shared. “Having that time set aside to do the long-term thinking and strategic stuff has…
Trio of KC healthtech startups wrap NXTUS competition; Marma scores pilot project
WICHITA — Companies working to improve Kansans’ health and community growth momentum across the state just completed an eight-week competition in hopes of developing collaborative relationships to scale alongside new regional partners. Three Kansas City startups were among a cohort of 10 finalists — drawn from global innovation hubs to participate in the NXTSTAGE Community Health…
KU Innovation Park launches Oread Angel Investors network to boost Jayhawk startups
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. LAWRENCE — A newly announced angel investor network is expected to support high-growth tech and bioscience startups linked to the University of Kansas, said Adam Courtney, opening greater access to…